12 Perfect Days in Europe
By M. Timothy O’Keefe
On a 12-day Carnival Liberty cruise out of Rome, you’ll get to visit eight great cities—and you’ll only unpack once.
Whether you’re planning a family trip or a romantic getaway, there are dozens of reasons to take a 12-day European cruise on Carnival Liberty this summer. Currents Home Past Guest Specials Cruise Photos Ship Spotlight: Carnival Destiny Destination: The Bahamas Spotlight: Mind/Body Cruise Adventure Shore Excursion Connect for a cruise Guest Letters Spa Carnival Recognition Program Near the top of the list is convenience: From fascinating seaports such as Venice, Naples, Barcelona and Dubrovnik, day excursions are easy and effortless.
Here are 12 more incentives to travel Europe this summer by “Fun Ship.”
- Roman History
- Unpack once
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Venice at night
- Venice by day
- Days in port
- Mt. Etna, Sicily
- Save money
- Spain cycling
- Monte Carlo
- Florence and Pisa
- Rome—St. Peter’s Square, Vatican
1. Experience Roman history
The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. not only buried the city of Pompeii, the volcanic ash and stone also turned the ancient Roman city into a time capsule. Visit Mt. Vesuvius, where you can place a piece of paper in a hot spot at the rim of the volcano and watch the paper ignite suddenly. Then travel to Pompeii, where you can stroll the streets of this beautifully preserved Roman town, stepping inside its mansions, baths and villas, many decorated with vivid frescoes showing country scenes, bowls of fruit, starstruck lovers and ocean panoramas.
2. Unpack just once
Cruising is the easiest way to see multiple destinations and avoid the ordeal of living out of a suitcase. Bring everything you need, arrange it in your spacious stateroom the first day and store your suitcases away for the rest of the trip. What could be easier?
3. Follow in the footsteps of medieval knights
A Carnival cruise is the perfect way to introduce your children to Europe, and even give them a history lesson or two along the way. They’ll love walking the ramparts to stand atop the 13th-century stone walls that encircle the medieval city of Dubrovnik, Croatia. With a series of circular, square and rectangular towers, the lofty walls are as much as 80 feet high and extend more than 1.2 miles. From here, you’ll get a panoramic view of this strikingly beautiful city, as well as a glimpse of the Adriatic Sea.
4. See the magic of Venice at night
Because Venice is one of the world’s most intriguing delights, Carnival Liberty arrives in this legendary city at 2 p.m. and remains here for more than 24 hours. This means you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy Venice after dark. Take an evening gondola ride in a sleek wooden boat through the fabled canals. Top off your romantic evening with a glass of champagne and a three-course dinner in a Venetian restaurant.
5. Enjoy how stunning Venice is by day
Venice sits atop more than 100 islands floating in a lagoon. By motor launch, visit three of the most beautiful and discover why each is world renowned: Murano is known for its glass making, Burano boasts a grand Byzantine cathedral and Torcello is famous for fine lace. Afterward, take a guided walking tour through the heart of Venice at Piazza San Marco, site of both St. Mark’s Cathedral and the Doge’s Palace, the former home of the elected rulers of Venice.
6. Make the most of days in port
Because Carnival Liberty docks in a new port almost every morning by as early as 7 a.m., you have a full day to explore each destination. This ensures that you can maximize your European experience by spending time in your comfortable cabin during your normal sleeping hours. And if you’re not tired at night, this “Fun Ship” offers plenty of dining, dancing and more to keep you entertained.
7. Witness Mt. Etna, top to bottom
On the isle of Sicily, you’ll need both cable cars and vans to probe the heights and depths of Europe’s largest active volcano. Etna’s lower slopes feature groves of oranges and lemons, plus vineyards that produce Sicily’s best wines. You’ll also pass picturesque villages on your ascent to the summit, where a professional guide leads you on a photo tour.
8. Save money
The value of the U.S. dollar has taken a beating compared to the Euro, making a land-based European vacation expensive, especially for families. But cruising is a bargain. A 12-day Carnival Liberty vacation is only about $150* a day per person, including meals, entertainment and all shipboard activities.
(*Rate based on Category 1A interior stateroom.)
9. Cycle Spain like a local
On the Barcelona bike tour, you’ll pedal the tree-lined streets of one of Europe’s most popular historic cities. Tour Citadel Park and visit the Zoological Museum inside the medieval-style fortress known as the Castle of the Three Dragons. Pass under the grandiose Arc de Triomf to stop at the Barcelona Cathedral, an impressive Gothic structure with 28 side chapels. Then cycle the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter.
10. Watch Monte Carlo’s rich and famous
From the port of Cannes, known as one of France’s top resort towns and for its glamorous shopping boulevards, head to fabulous Monaco and Monte Carlo. Stroll the narrow streets of Monaco’s Old Town, a French medieval village, then visit Monte Carlo’s famous casino square. Besides the famous Casino de Paris, the “see and be seen place” is nearby Café de Paris, where you can order a drink, steak tartare or fresh oysters from a table perched above the clear blue Mediterranean.
11. Rediscover da Vinci
Before the novel, there was another “Da Vinci Code” containing the imaginative designs of the 15th-century genius. Although best known for his paintings, Leonardo da Vinci drew models of civil and military machines. From the port of Livorno, travel to Florence and visit the Leonardo Museum to see 40 scale models of some of da Vinci’s revolutionary inventions, such as the flying bicycle, a hydraulic saw and a two-ton armored vehicle. From Livorno, you can also head to Pisa and climb to the top of that accidental wonder, the Leaning Tower. Don’t overlook the impressive nearby monuments, including the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Monumental Cemetery.
12. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums
Last stop is the port of Civitavecchia, where your cruise began. On your transfer to Rome’s airport, tour Rome’s holy sites, including magnificent St. Peter’s Square. Stand in awe before Michelangelo’s Pieta, one of the best-known sculptures in the world. In the Vatican Museum, behold one of the richest storehouses of art anywhere. The masterpieces were collected and preserved over the centuries by a succession of popes. It’s a fitting end to the treasure trove of cities visited by Carnival Liberty.
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